Priority is to tackle ‘county lines’ criminals who exploit our vulnerable children
IWANT to talk about one of the most pressing issues to date – the appalling “county lines” exploitation of children by criminals – where young people find themselves caught up in delivering illegal drugs over county boundaries.
Children are picked by perpetrators to transport drugs because it is believed they will receive a lighter punishment if caught.
By using county lines, criminals also hope that they will be able to avoid police or local authority attention.
Sadly, the children are put in great peril because they often take drugs to areas which have seen increased levels of violence and weapons-related crimes.
I have met a number of times with Derbyshire Constabulary, other organisations, and spoken with Derby City Council to see how this awful exploitation can be stopped.
It has been really eye-opening meeting with brilliant organisations such as Safe & Sound, boxing academies, Baby
People, YMCA and various other community clubs that deal directly with some of the young people who have fallen victim of county lines exploitation. Concerns raised following these conversations were largely around making sure street lighting and CCTV is maintained and that there is a visible police presence in drugdealing hotspots.
Tougher ID restrictions for pubs and clubs should also be ensured because they could be places where grooming could take place.
I have raised these concerns with council members and relevant Government ministers and I am pleased that Derby secured £550,000 from the Government’s £25 million Safer Streets Fund.
Some of this money will go towards upgrading the city’s CCTV control room as well as additional street lighting and CCTV cameras in and around Alvaston Park, Chaddesden Park, Markeaton Park, Racecourse Park, in several city subways and the city centre.
I’m focused on helping reduce the risk of exploitation on the streets by seeing how young people can be positively engaged in non-criminal activities and environments. Tragically, children aged as young as seven are at risk of sexual exploitation, online grooming, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation as well as being lured into county lines.
County lines are not easy to spot, yet may well be happening in your area, so please do look out for any signs. These may include an increase in visitors and cars to a house or flat or new and regularly changing residents.
You may also spot changes in the way young people you might know dress, with unexplained, sometimes unaffordable new clothes or jewellery.
And you may be concerned about seeing young people you know or see in different cars or taxis.
Truancy, exclusion or disengagement from school may be a clue to county lines as well as unexplained injuries and an increase in anti-social behaviour in the community.
Tackling county lines, and the supply gangs responsible for high levels of violence, exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults and children, is a priority for UK law enforcement.
If you have a concern, officers will listen if you call your local police with any concerns on 101 or, if you would rather remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Children aged as young as seven are at risk of sexual exploitation, online grooming, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation as well as being lured into county lines.